Phobias&Fortitude

ByKanikaG

Acoupleofshortstories

Copyright2017byKanikaG

Website:

https://sites.google.com/site/kanikagebooks/

PrincessLemon&HerYellowShoes

IllustratedbyMishtiShah

ScaredOutofherWits

IllustratedByKanikaG

Coverimageisfromhttp://openclipart.org

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PrincessLemon&HerYellowShoes

Katehadlotsandlotsofshoes.Shehadpinkslip-onshoes,brownfloaters,purpleboots,blackschoolshoes,whitesportsshoes,redpartyshoesandsilverballetshoes.

Shealsohadanotherpairofshoes.But,shedidnotliketotalkaboutthem.Shedidnotwantanyonetoseethem.Shehidthematthefarbackcornerofhershoerack.

AuntTinahadgivenKateapairofyellow,opentoed,strappysandalsforDiwali.Katewasveryangrywhenshesawthem.ShewantedMamatothrowthemaway.

Mamawassurprised."Ithoughtyouloveshoes.Infact,youhavebeendemandingexactlythesekindofsandalsforthelastyear.Yousaid,thattheredpartyshoesarenotsandalsandyouwantedpartysandals.Wellthesearegorgeouspartysandals.Sowhat'stheproblem?"

Katetoldmamawhyshedidnotlikethesandals.

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Mamathoughtherreasonwassilly,butshehopedthatKatewouldchangehermindeventually.Soshesaid,"Isee.Butyoushouldn'tthrowthemaway.Keepthemintheshoerack."

WhenKatewasbackfromMama'sroom,thenewyellowsandalswereexcited,thinkingshewasfinallygoingtotrythemon.Instead,shestuffedthemintoadarkcorner,atthebackoftheshoerack.

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Theyellowsandalsweresad.Everynight,intheshoerack,theshoeswouldtellamazingstoriesoftheadventurestheyhadbeenon.Theschoolshoestoldfunnystoriesaboutthetricksandgamesthechildrenplayed.Theballetshoestalkedaboutageoldstoriesandlovelymusictheyherdatballetclass.

Thesportsshoesdescribedexcitingtennisandvolleyballmatches.Thepartyshoessharedglamoroustalesofglitter,balloons,cakesandclowns.Thebootstalkedaboutadventurousridinglessonsandhorsesjumpingoverhurdles.

Eventhesimplecanvas,pink,slip-onshoeshadstoriestotellfromeveningbikeridesandtimespentatthepark.Butthepooryellowsandalshadnothingtosay.Nothingatall!Becausetheyhadneverbeenanywhere!Theonlylifetheyhadknown,wasthemiserabledarkcorneroftheshoerack.

Afteracoupleofmonths,theothershoesfeltreallysorryfor

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theyellowsandals."Maybeshehasforgottenaboutyou,becauseyouareinthecorneranddifficulttosee."Theballetshoessuggested.

Thepinkcanvasshoeshadanidea."Wecanmoveyoutothefrontoftheshoerack.Shecanwearyoutothepartytomorrow.Red,youwouldn'tmind,wouldyou?"

"Ofcoursenot."Theredpartyshoesreplied."Iwenttotheweddinglastweek.Icoulduseabreak."

"Thankyousomuch."Theyellowsandalswerethrilledtohavesuchwonderfulfriends.

So,thenextmorning,theyellowsandalsstoodhopefully,rightinfrontonthemiddleshelfoftheshoerack.ButKate'sreactionwhenshesawtheshoeswasbaffling.

Shestampedherfeetinrage.Thensherantothekitchen,gotastrongblackgarbagebag,wrappeduptheshoesinit,tiedafirmknotandstuffeditbackinthecorner."Ihateyellow!"Shesnarledandstompedaway.

Theyellowsandalssobbedallday.Theothershoestriedtosaycomfortingthings,butnothinghelped.Then,thepurplebootshadanidea."Youknow,wecanhelpyouescape,ifyouwouldlikethat."

Theyellowsandalsstoopedsobbing."How?"Theyasked."Isitpossible?Pleasetellmeifitispossible."

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Thebrownfloaterswereverypractical."Thebalconydoorisalwaysopen.Youcanslipoutwhenthemaidopenstheshoerack,whilecleaningthehouse.Buthowdowegetyououtofthebag?"

"Iknowhowwecanopenthebag."Theredpartyshoesgiggled,astherestlookedatthemcuriously."Benjicandoit.Hehassharpteeth.Hecanchewopenthebag."

"Thatisasplendididea."Thebrownfloaterswereimpressed.Clearlytheyhadunderestimatedthepartyshoes."Benjimousevisitsalmosteverynightafterheisdonesearchingforbitsoffood.Iamsurehewillhelp."

Stuckinsidethedarksuffocatinggarbagebag,theyellowsandalsthoughtaboutthefuture.Theywouldsoonbefreetoexplorethewholewideworld.ButthatnightBenjididnotcome,andtheyellowsandalsbegantolosehope.

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Inthemeantime,KatewasreallyexcitedabouttheschoolChristmasplay.Shewasfinallyinthe1ststandardandoldenoughtoparticipateinit.Katelovedactingandwashopingfortheleadrole.Wouldshegetit?

Katedidgettheleadrole.Shewasthrilled,untilshefoundoutthattheleadcharacterwasPrincessLemonandhadtobedressedinyellowallthetime.

Katewouldhaverefusedthepart,ifshedidnotdesperately

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wanttobeintheplay.SheaskedMissJohn,thedramateacher,ifshecouldhaveadifferentrole.MissJohntoldher,thatalltheotherroleshadalreadybeencast.SoKatewouldeitherhavetoplayPrincessLemon,ordropoutoftheplay.Katewasveryupset.

Thatevening,atdinner,Katetoldmamaherproblem.

Mamawaspuzzled"Whydoyouhateyellowsomuch?"

"Becauseitisanuglycolour."Kateretorted."Itisthecolourofpoopandpee,smellyeggyolksandotheryuckythings.Howcantheywantaprincesstodressinthathorriblecolour?Itisasickcolour.Ihateit."

"ButKate,Idon'tunderstand.Yellowisalsothecolourofsunshineandlemonsandbutter.Andyouwerehappytohaveyellowballoonsatyourbirthdaypartyayearago.Sowhatchanged?"

"Yellowisthecolourofsickness."Katesobbedinconsolablyandwenttoherroom.

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Mamafinallyunderstoodwhattheproblemwas.ButshewantedtogiveKateachancetocalmdown.Sheputthedinnerthingsaway.Asafinaldisplayofrage,Kateopenedtheshoerack,tookthegarbagebagcontainingtheyellowsandals,marchedoutofthedoor,andflungitintothedumpster.

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Thatnight,theothershoeswerereallyworried.Theyhadtodosomethingtohelpthepooryellowsandals.Iftheydidnotactsoon,theyellowsandalsmayendupinabonfireoratrashcompacter."Butwhatcanwepossiblydo?"Thesilverballetshoesvoicedalltheirthoughts.

"Helloshoes.Howareyouall?"squeakedacheeryvoicestartlingallthepreoccupiedshoes.

"Oh!HelloBenji.Wherehaveyoubeen?"Theredpartyshoesasked.

"Iwashangingoutwithafriendatthenexthouse,wherehemanagedtoaccesstheircheese.Yum!Butthat'sovernow,soIamback.DidyoumissmeRed?"Benjiwinked.

"Benjiweneedyourhelp."Thefloaterssaidgravely.

TheshoestookturnsattellingBenjithewholestoryandbeggedhimtofreetheyellowsandalsinthedumpster.Benjiwasverysorryfortheyellowsandals,whohadsufferedsomuchcruelty,fornofaultoftheirown.Hewenttofree

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them.

TheyellowsandalsweregratefulforBenji'shelp.Buttheyhadneversetshoeoutintheworldbefore.SotheyaskedBenjiforsometips.

Benjihadsomeusefuladvicetooffer."Lookaroundandexplore.Enjoyyourfreedom.Butbecarefulaboutcars.See,thatisacar."Benjisaidpointingatacarinanearbygarage."Whentheymove,theycanrunyouoverandsquashyoutopulp."

"Oh!o--o--okay"Theyellowsandalsweretrembling."Willtheychaseus?"

"No.Juststayoutoftheirway.That'sall.Stayawayfromdogstoo.Youknowwhattheyare,right?TheyarelikeKate'scat,butalotbigger.Goodluck!"

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Thelittleyellowsandalswanderedoutintothebrightmoonlitnighttoexploretheworld.

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InthemorningwhenKatewokeup,Mamaapproachedher."GoodmorningKate.Didyousleepwell,sweetheart?"

"Nottoowell."Katerepliedunenthusiastically.

"Kate,isyourillnessthereasonyouhateyellow?"Mamaaskedgettingstraighttothepoint.

Katenodded,butdidnottrustherselftospeak.Thememorystillupsether.Ithadbeenlessthanhalfayearago.Shehadbeensickwithjaundicefortwoweeks.

Herskinandeyeswereadisgusting,sicklyyellowcolour.Sheevenpukedyellowslimystuffseveraltimes.Shehadhighfever,andhadneverbeforebeensickforsolong.Theyellowtingeonherskinstayedfordaysandhorrifiedher.Wouldsheeverlooknormalagain?

"Kate,itwasjustaninfection.Youarefinenow.Themedicinestookcareofit.Yourskinandeyesarefinenow,backtotheirnormalcolour."

Katebrokedown."IwassoscaredMama.Iwassickforsolong.IthoughtI'dnevergetbetter.Myskinlookedhorrible.Evenmyeyeswereyellow.Iwasafraidoflookinginthe

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mirror."

"IknowHoney.Beingsickcanbeveryscary.Butlook,youarefinenow.Youdon'thavetobescaredanymore.Yourstrongbodyfoughtoffthesickness.Anddon'tletonemiserabletwoweekperiodofyourlifemakeyouhatethecolouryellow.Itissillytogeneralizethatway.Justbecauseyoudon'tlikesomethingsthatareyellow,doesn'tmeanallthingsyellowarebad.Andbyavoidingeverythingyellow,youmaymissoutonsomanywonderfulthingslikehavingaleadpartintheplay."

"ButIdon'tlikespicyfood,soIdon'teatanythingthatisspicy.Isn'tthatsmart?OtherwiseeachtimeItriedsomethingspicy,myeyeswouldwaterandmymouthwouldburn.ThiswayIdon'thavetosufferoverandoveragain."

"Wellyes.Butsupposesomeoneputsugarinyourpizza.Youwouldhatethetaste.Butthatdoesn'tmakesugarbad.Youstilllikeitincakesandmilkshakes.Also,withthespicyfood,Iwishyouwouldconsidertryingmildlyspicyfood.Youmayactuallylikeit."

"OkayMama.I'lltryityourway.I'llweartheprincesscostumeandseewhatitlookslikeinthemirror.Ohwait!I'dbettergogetmyyellowsandalsbackbeforethegarbagemanarrives."

Katerandownthestairstofindthesandals,butwhenshegottothedumpster,shesawtheemptychewedupgarbagebagwithnosandalsinit.

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Ohno!Katethought.NowwhatdoIdo?Thosesandalswouldbeperfectwiththeyellowprincesscostume.Ineedtofindthem.Shewalkedaroundthehousingsocietydesperatelylookingforthesandals.Ishouldnothavethrownthemaway.Maybesomeonetookthem.Shethoughtsadly.

Katealmostgaveupthesearchfortheyellowsandals,whenshesuddenlynoticedsomethingglintinginthesunlightatthecornerofaparkinggarage.

"Ohmyshoes!"Kateranuptothemandgavethemahug.Shesaid,"Iknowyouarejustshoes,anditissillytalkingtoyou,butIfeellikeIneedtoapologise.Ihavebeenverymeantoyou,fornofaultofyours.IreallyamsorryandIwonttreatyoubadlyagain."

Theshoeswereinpristinecondition,inspiteoftheirmoonlightadventure.Howeverdidtheygettothegarage?Katewonderedassheclimbedthestepsbackhome.Sheplacedtheyellowsandalsgentlyintheshoerack.Theyare

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reallybeautifulonceyougotovertheyellowaspectofthem,shethought.

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Theothershoeswerethrilledtohavetheiryellowfriendsback."Whateverhappened?Dotellus.Wearedyingtoknow."Thepurplebootsasked.Theynevercouldcontaintheircuriosity.

"Ohthankssomuch,shoes,forsendingBenjiover.Youarethebestfriendsapairofshoescouldhave.Heletusoutandtoldustowatchoutforcars."

"Wehadafewhoursoffuncheckingouttheswimmingpoolandtheslide.Theslidewasthebest.Wemusthavegoneupanddownitatleast40times.Whee!wewouldslidedownsofastoncewegotthehangofit,andevenbumpintoeachother."Theyellowsandalsclappedtheirheels.

"Butthenwewerecrossingtheroadtofindacozyplacetorest."Theyellowsandalscontinued."Andacarcamebywithbrightheadlightsblindingus.Weweresoscaredofthemassivething,wefroze.But,justinthenickoftime,wemovedtothenearestgarage.Unfortunatelythatiswherethecarwantedtopark.Sowehadtokeepmovingthiswayandthat,tillthecarfinishedparking.Weweresotiredandterrifiedafterthat,wejusthidinthecornerofthegarageforhours."

"Wewerewonderingwhattodonext.Whatifanothercar

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cameby.Itisquitedifficulttowalkwithoutthehelpofhumans.Ihopeitiseasierwhentheyhavetheirfootin.Isit?"Theyellowsandalsaskedtentatively.

"Yes,itismucheasier."Thepinkcanvasshoesassuredthem.

"ThenKatecameandfoundusandsaidthenicestthings.Wedon'tknowwhatchangedhermind,..."Theyellowsandalslookedconfused.

"Ohwecanfillyouinonthat."Theredshoesinterrupted.TheshoestookturnsattellingtheyellowsandalsthewholeconversationbetweenKateandhermom.

"Ohpoorgirl!Itmusthavebeenfrighteningtofallsosick,thatherskinchangedcolour.Iamgladthathermomconvincedher,thatnotyellowthingshavetobebad,orwe'dbetotallydoomed.We'lltrytomakehersupercomfortable."

"Yeswemuststartover,andlet'smakesurewestartoutontherightfootthistime."Therightyellowshoewinked,andthesportsshoesstucktheirtonguesoutatit.

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Afewwordsfromtheillustrator,MishtiShah:

Iam8yearsold.Ilovedrawingandpaintingthemost.Ialsoenjoyswimmingalot.ThisisthefirsttimeIdrewillustrationsforabook.Ithankallwhomadethispossible.

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ScaredOutOfHerWits

Shivwasintrigued.Whywashisbestfriend,thetypicallylevelheadedKaira,drapedoverthelipofadumpster,withherbumstickingoutintotheair?Hadshetakenleaveofhersenses?Hehadtofindout.

Thestenchwasunbearable.Shivsupposed,thatMonahadusedthesocietydumpstertodisposeoffthehalfboiledegghermotherhadgivenherforbreakfast,again.

Holdinghisnosewithonehand,ShivgentlytappedKairaonhercalfwiththeother.ShivhadhopedtodrawKaira'sattention,buthehadn'texpectedhertojump,scream,andthenfallonhim.Hemanagedtocrawloutfromunderher,

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onlytoseethatshelookedcompletelyderanged.Herhairwasastinky,tangledmesswithabananapeelhangingoutofahalfdoneplait.Therewasblackgooonhernose.Butnoneofthiswasasfrighteningasthelookinhereyes.

Sheseemedtobetryingtofranticallyscanthewholeareaatonce,resultinginsomerapidandbizarreeyeballmovement,whileherheadjerkedfromsidetoside.

"What'swrongKaira?"Shivasked,notsurehewantedto

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knowtheanswer.HewasalarmedbyKaira'sbehaviour.Whatcouldhavehappenedtomakeheractthisway,hecouldnotimagine.

Justthen,abutterflyflutteredby,andKairafainted.Shivwasastonished.HeknewthatKairawasafraidofbutterflies,butshehadneverfaintedbefore,atthesightofone.Runawayshrieking,sure,butneverfainted.

Shivshoutedoutforhelp.MonaandRohancamerunning."Youreallyneedtofindanotherwaytogetridofyouregg."RohantoldMonaastheywalkedover.

"Ohmy!IsKairadead?"Monascreamed.

"Ofcoursenotyouidiot.Shehasfainted.Canyoutwohelpme?"Shivasked.

"Icouldgetsomeofmymom'ssmellingsalts."Monaoffered.

"Ithinksheisimmunetosmellafterthestenchfromthatdumpster."Rohansneeredashelefttofetchsomewaterfromthetapnexttotheswimmingpool.ThekidssprinkledthewateronKairaandmanagedtoreviveher.

"Wewilltakeyouhome."ShivsaidkindlytoKaira,butahauntedexpressioncloudedherfaceasshepleaded"Nothome,nothome.Please,nothome."

Baffledandstumped,thekidslookedateachother.Then

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Shivhadanidea."Kaira,youcancometomyhouse."Shivoffered.

Kairanoddedandthekidswererelieved.TheyhelpedherupthestepstoShiv'shouse.Shivrangthedoorbell.Thecookopenedthedoorandletthemin.Shewasbusywithdinner,anddidnotevennoticethemessKairawasin.Thankgoodness,Shivthought.Hisparentswouldnotbehomeforanotherhour,sohehadsometimetosortthismessout.

WhileKairawascleaningupinShiv'shouse,RohanandMonawenttofetchhermother.ButKaira'smotherwasn'thome,sotheyreturnedwithKaira'ssister,Padma.

Kairasteppedoutofthebathroomlookingslightlybetterwithherhaircombedandherfaceclean.ButatthesightofPadma,shestartedtremblingandsobbing."Ilooked,Padma.Ilookedeverywhere."Kairawailed."ButIcouldn'tfinditanywhere.IamsosorryIlostyourbracelet.IpromiseIwonttouchyourstuffagain.Ipromise.Please,please,justtakeawaythebutterflies.Please."

Shiv,MonaandRohanlookedateachotherconfused.WhatwasKairatalkingabout?.

Padmaflushedbrightred."It'sokayKaira.Youcancomehomenow.Thebutterfliesaregone.Itookthemoutmyself.Iwasreallymadatyouforlosingmybracelet.SoIlockedyouintheroomwiththebutterfliesforrevenge."

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"Howcouldyoubesocruel?"Shivaskedangryandaghast.MonaandRohanlookedatPadmaindisbelief.

Padmaquelledundertheiraccusinggaze,butdecideditwasbesttoaddressKaira.

"Iwouldneverhavelockedyouinwiththebutterflies,ifIknewthatyouwouldbethisterrified.Itishardformetounderstandyourfear,butIseenow,thatitisquiterealtoyou.Iamverysorry."Padmabitherlipandtookadeepbreath.

Kairasatdownonthesofaexhausted,andPadmaapproachedherslowly.ThenKairaburiedherheadinPadma'slapandPadmacaressedherhair.

"Youknow,Iwasreallyworriedaboutyou,thewayyouran

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outofthehouseinfright,whenIopenedyourdoor.Icamerunningafteryou.Butyouhadrunofftoofast,andIdidnotknowwhichwayyouwent.IthoughtyoumayhavecometoShiv'shouse,soIcalledhere,butnooneansweredthephone.ThenIcalledNishaandVidhibuttheyhadnoideawhereyouwere.ItriedtospotyoufromthewindowbutIcouldn'tseeyou.IwasjustabouttocallMama,whenRohanandMonashowedup."

"Iamsoglad,Ihavefoundyou.IpromiseIwon'tfrightenyoulikethatagain."

Kairanoddedandevenmanagedasmile.Herfriendsallpattedorhuggedher.Shefeltalmostnormalagain.Kaira'sfriendssaidnothingtoPadma,butatleasttheyhadstoppedfrowningather.

Padmatookallthekidshomeandtreatedthemtoicecream.Later,whenallthekidshadleft,PadmafollowedKairatotheirroom.Stillapprehensive,Kairasteppedgingerlyintoherroomandcheckedforbutterflies.WhenPadmaturnedthefanon,apieceofpaperstartedflutteringaroundandKairajumpedinfright.Padmagaveherahugandheldhertighttillshecalmeddownandhermusclesrelaxed.

"Kaira."Padmasaid."Youneednotbeashamedofyourfearofbutterflies.Weallhavefearslikethat."Shepickedupherstuffedtiger."YouknowTigerWoods,right?PapagavehimtomewhenIwastwo.Iwassoscaredofhim."

"ButyouloveTigerWoods."Kairawaspuzzled.

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"YesIdonow.Butinitially,Iwasterrifiedofhim.EventuallyIgotovermyfear,butittookayearandTigerWoodsneverdidanythingunpredictablelikebutterflies.WhenIgotovermyfear,IlovedTigerWoodsmainlybecauseheremindedmeofthatachievement.Youmaygetoveryourfearofbutterflies,oryoumaynot.Everyonehassomethingthatfrightensthem,thatmayseemsillytoothers.It'sokay."

"Youarenotscaredofanythinganymorethough."Kairapointedout.

"That'snottrue."Padmasaid."IamnolongerscaredofTigerwoodsandIhaveneverbeenscaredofbutterflies,butIhaveanirrationalfearofwateranddrowning.Thatiswhyitistakingmesolongtolearntoswim.Allmyfriendsarelearningsomuchfaster."Padmalookedsad,soKairaputherarmaroundPadma.

HeartenedPadmacontinued,"IdomybesttofightthefearbutIhaven'tsucceededyet.Youtoocantrytofightyourfear,butifyoudon'tsucceed,thatisokaytoo.Iwaswrongtotakeadvantageofyourfears.Willyouforgiveme?"

Kairasmiled."YesPadma,butonlyifyouhelpmefightmyfearofbutterflies.TellmehowIshouldgoaboutit."

"Deal!"Padmasaidandthesistersshookhands.

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